The feral cats pounced on the unnamed dog owner as she walked her poodle in the city of Belfort, France, dragging her to the ground and injuring her, according to the French publication The Local.

The 31-year-old woman was bitten repeatedly and even suffered a tear in an artery. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment, while her pet poodle, which was also hurt in the attack, was separately transported to a veterinarian clinic.

While cats do not usually attack humans so savagely, feral felines are known to attack on occasion or when threatened.

A local Belfort police spokesman suggested that the attack was "very unusual," but added, "Tourists from countries like Britain should certainly be wary – they should certainly not approach these cats, or try to feed them."